The holiday weekend surrounding the Fourth of July is bringing record-breaking crowds to Chicago airports, along with one of the busiest travel waves across the United States this year. According to officials and reports from American media outlets, O’Hare and Midway are expecting a combined 1.62 million passengers during the holiday period, while nationwide more than 72 million people are projected to travel during the holiday week.
O’Hare and Midway brace for a record holiday weekend
The Chicago Department of Aviation said about 1.62 million passengers are expected to pass through O’Hare and Midway over the holiday weekend. Travelers were already lining up at security checkpoints on Wednesday morning, offering an early sign that Chicago is entering one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
At O’Hare, Sunday is expected to be the busiest day, with more than 300,000 passengers arriving or departing. According to CBS, that would mark an 8.1 percent increase compared with the period around July 4 last year. 
More flights and higher ticket prices
The travel surge is not limited to Chicago. According to ABC7, more than 72 million people are expected to travel during the Independence Day week, which would set a new record, based on AAA figures.
American Airlines expects 8.1 million customers on more than 80,000 flights, nearly 10 percent more than last year. United Airlines, meanwhile, is preparing for about 6 million passengers during the holiday stretch. At the same time, CBS reported that airfares from Chicago are trending roughly $80 higher than they were at this time last year.
The Transportation Security Administration has also underscored the scale of the holiday surge, saying it expects to screen nearly 18.7 million travelers at U.S. airport security checkpoints between Tuesday, June 30, and Monday, July 6. According to TSA projections, the heaviest pressure is expected on Thursday, July 2, when more than 3 million people could move through checkpoints.
Advice for travelers leaving Chicago
Chicago officials say they have ramped up operations, customer service, and staffing in order to handle the heavier passenger flow. Increased traffic is expected to continue through Monday, July 6.
Travelers are advised to arrive at the airport earlier than usual, especially if they are flying through O’Hare, where the heaviest congestion is expected during peak periods. A holiday atmosphere will also be noticeable at the airport itself, with live music and themed programming planned in some terminals.
Road travel will also be under pressure
The pressure is not limited to air travel. AAA estimates that 61.4 million people will travel by car during the holiday period. According to ABC7, the worst traffic windows are expected in the afternoon, while drivers are being advised to leave as early in the day as possible.
Periods of peak demand for rental cars and the busiest return days are also standing out, further confirming that this will be one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year.
